Microsoft does not prevent users from running a rival media player atop Windows although Windows comes with its own media player. That particular integration is the focus of a lawsuit lodged by Real Networks against Microsoft and is also a focal point of the European Union's antitrust action against Microsoft.
"Do you want to use WordPerfect [instead of Word] in Office? Hallelujah,"he said.
Of course, the history of the market shows that bundling more capabilities into its operating system and its application suite spells very big trouble for third-party ISVs that specialized in selling those capabilities in their own products.
As for the claims by the open-source crowd that the collaborative nature of their software development means safer, sounder products, Ballmer was dismissive. "Some say isn't it great that every Tom, Dick and Harry contributes, but I'd submit that you don't know who every Tom, Dick and Harry are or if they've copied other people's work. At least with Microsoft, you know who to get upset with," he said, before offering up his e-mail address to the assembly.
Still, Microsoft is taking some baby steps into what could be called a more open-source model. Last week, as part of its Shared Source Initiative, it released some development code to Sourceforge, where developers could have their way with it.